The Cracked Pot
Prolog -- A parable we can all learn from . . .
A water bearer in India had two large pots, one hung
on each end of a pole which, he carried across his neck.
One of the pots had a crack in it, but the other pot was
perfect, and always delivered a full portion of water at
the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's
house, while the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer
delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his
master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of
its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was
made. But the poor cracked pot was very ashamed of its
imperfection, and was miserable that it could only do
half of what it had been made to do -- or so it thought.
The cracked pot, after two years of what it perceived to
be a bitter failure, spoke to the water bearer one day by
the stream. "I am very ashamed of myself, and I want to
apologize to you."
"Why?" asked the water bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"
"For the past two years, I have only been able to deliver
half of my real capacity, because this crack in my side
allows water to leak out all the way back to the master's
house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this
work, and you don't get full value from your efforts,"
the cracked pot said.
The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and
compassionately said, "As we return to the master's house,
I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."
As they went up the hill, the old cracked pot did notice
the sun shining on the beautiful wild flowers growing along
his side of the path, and this cheered it some. However, at
the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had again
leaked out half its load, and so it apologized to the water
bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were
flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other
pot's side? That's because I have always known about your
flaw, and put it to good use. I planted flower seeds on your
side of the path (for the return trip), and every day while
we walk back from the stream, you've watered them.
For over two years I have been able to pick these beautiful
flowers to decorate my master's table. If you weren't the
way you are, he wouldn't have the flowers for his house."
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots.
But if we will allow Him, the Lord will use us, in spite of
our flaws, to grace His Father's table in some way. In God's
great economy, nothing goes to waste.
So as we seek ways to minister, and as God calls you to the
job He has appointed for you, don't be afraid of your flaws.
Acknowledge them, and allow Him to use them, so you too can
help add beauty along the pathways He has chosen for you.
Addendum -- 2 Timothy 2:21 "Therefore if anyone
cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a
vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the
Master, prepared for every good work."
[ Author Unknown -- From: Al ]
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